Counseling

Oncology social workers help you cope with the emotional and practical challenges of breast cancer. Contact us at 800‑813‑HOPE (4673) or info@cancercare.org.
Learn more about counseling.

We've also partnered with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation to assist and support women with triple-negative breast cancer. Call 877-880-TNBC (877-880-8622).

Financial Assistance

Find resources and support to manage your financial concerns. Limited assistance from CancerCare is available to eligible families for cancer-related costs.

Support Groups

Connect with others in our free support groups led by oncology social workers.

Online

• Breast Cancer Patient Support Group
• Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient Support Group

Face-to-Face

• Breast Cancer Support Group (New Jersey)
• Conversations: Connection, Strength, and Empowerment for Women with Breast Cancer (New Jersey)

Telephone

• Metastatic Breast Cancer Patient Support Group

Community Programs

If you live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, learn about and view the full calendar of our free community programs.

• Jul 17 Breast Prosthesis Clinic Wednesday, July 17, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  New York, NY
• Jul 24 Breast Prosthesis Clinic Wednesday, July 24, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  New York, NY
• Aug 7 Breast Prosthesis Clinic Wednesday, August 7, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  New York, NY
• Aug 21 Breast Prosthesis Clinic Wednesday, August 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  New York, NY
• Sep 11 Breast Prosthesis Clinic Wednesday, September 11, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  New York, NY
• Sep 25 Breast Prosthesis Clinic Wednesday, September 25, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  New York, NY

Connect Education Workshops™

Listen in by telephone or online as leading experts in oncology provide up-to-date information about cancer-related issues in one-hour workshops. Podcasts are also available.

Upcoming Workshops

Breast Cancer

• Updates in the Treatment of HER2 Positive Breast Cancer, Jun 19, 2013
• Updates in the Treatment of Estrogen Receptor Positive and Progesterone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer and Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Jul 31, 2013

General Topics

• Young Adult Survivorship: Fertility, Sexuality and Intimacy, Jun 28, 2013
• View all general upcoming workshops...

Podcasts

Breast Cancer

• Highlights from the 2013 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
• The Latest Developments Reported at the 35th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
• Understanding the Molecular Portrait of Breast Cancer
• Managing the Challenging Side Effects of Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Progress in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Caring for Your Bones When You Have Breast Cancer
• Highlights from the 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
• Update on Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
• The Latest Developments Reported at the 34th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
• Current Perspectives on Early Stage Breast Cancer
• Progress in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Caring for Your Bones When You Have Breast Cancer
• Caring for Your Bones When You Have Breast Cancer: What's New?
• Update on Metastatic Breast Cancer from the 33rd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
• Progress in the Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Breast Cancer Treatment Update
• Breast Cancer and African American Women
• Advances in the Treatment of Breast Cancer
• Young Women with Breast Cancer: Treatment-Specific Choices, Fertility and Careers
• Medical Update on Triple Negative Breast Cancer
• Caregivers of Women Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Moving Forward: Breast Cancer Survivorship
• Difficult Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment: Memory Changes, Lymphedema & Neuropathy

General Topics

• Cancer and the Workplace
• Understanding Clinical Trials: What’s New
• Managing Cancer Pain: What You Need to Know
• View all general workshop podcasts...

Publications

Read or order our free Connect booklets and fact sheets offering easy-to-read information about the latest cancer treatments, managing side effects and coping with cancer.

Breast Cancer

• After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• Breast Cancer: Coping With Your Changing Feelings
• Coping with Side Effects of Breast Cancer Treatment
• Current Standards of Care for Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Diagnostic Tests for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
• Early Detection and Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Should Know
• Latest News in Breast Cancer Research: Highlights from the 2011 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
• Managing Practical Concerns Raised by Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Molecular Profiling: Personalizing Treatment for Breast Cancer
• Pain and Symptom Management for Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Supporting a Loved One with Metastatic Breast Cancer
• Supporting a Loved One With Metastatic Breast Cancer: Caregiving Tips for Men
• Treatment Update: Breast Cancer
• What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer: A Guide for Newly Diagnosed African American Women
• Your Guide to the Latest Cancer Research and Treatments: Highlights from ASCO 2012

General Topics

• Caregiving for Your Loved One With Cancer
• Coping With Cancer: Tools to Help You Live
• Communicating With Your Health Care Team
• Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer
• Understanding and Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
• If You've Just Been Diagnosed
• Caring Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?
• Finding Resources in Your Community
• Sources of Financial Assistance
• “What Can I Say to a Newly Diagnosed Loved One?”

Ask CancerCare

Every month, featured experts answer your questions about coping with cancer. View all questions and answers.

Breast Cancer

• How long after completing breast cancer treatments can you still feel fatigued? Should I have any special follow-up?
• I'm 43 years old, married and going to have a mastectomy. I'm insecure about how my body is going to look and being intimate with my husband. How can I maintain my femininity and a positive body image?
• My mom is about to undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer and there are so many chemotherapies to choose from. Can you tell me if a test is available to determine the best treatment prior to her starting treatment? What else might you recommend for her to do once she begins her treatment?
• I've just started treatment for breast cancer and I need to talk about my fears and concerns with the people who are closest to me. But my family just says, "Oh, you'll be fine" and to stay positive. How I can I get them to listen?
• My mother was recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer and about 2 years ago, began to show signs of dementia. Can you refer me to resources regarding providing care to patients with dementia and cancer? My elderly father is the primary caregiver and I am an out of town caregiver.
• I am a lesbian and my family is not accepting of this. I recently have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and I'm really feeling the loss of having family for support. I'm not sure if it would make a difference to speak with them - should I tell my family about my diagnosis?
• Since being diagnosed with breast cancer, I can't seem to keep on top of things like I used to and it seems like I'm in a fog. I've mentioned this to my doctor but I think his focus is more on my treatment and less on my concerns. Anything I can say to make him listen?
• I was diagnosed with DCIS last year and my family's reaction has been "it's not really cancer". It hurts me that during my biopsies, lumpectomies and radiation, no one asked how I was doing. How do I get over the disappointment with my family and manage the stress of my own diagnosis?
• I'm trying to prepare myself mentally about having a mastectomy. I don't think I would ever want to look at my body again, much less expect my significant other to ever find me attractive. Not sure what to do...
• I have been treated for breast cancer and I just don't feel like being intimate. Is this due to my treatments or did I just change as a person? My partner is concerned and wants to know if we will ever be intimate again?
• My mother has stage 4 breast cancer and I'd like to know if she would be eligible for any clinical trials.
• I've just been diagnosed with breast cancer. Even with insurance, I have many out-of-pocket expenses. What organizations can help me?
• I need information or possibly first hand knowledge of how Tamoxifen affects men. I am a male with breast cancer undergoing this treatment and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel but it doesn't feel normal. Can you help?
• I've recently started treatment for breast cancer. What can I do to reduce my risk of bone fractures?
• I was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2010. I received 6 rounds of chemotherapy, and I still experience severe knee pain. Is this pain related to the chemotherapy and when will it end?
• I fear I have breast cancer...I have no insurance and lost my job. My symptoms have become too huge to ignore. What can I do?
• My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and she has to pay almost $500 in co-pays for her medicine. How can we get help?
• I'm 32, and am in treatment for early stage breast cancer. I feel like I'm burdening my friends and husband with my anxiety, but I also need to talk. I'm looking for a therapist, but maybe there are other things I can do to help myself? My husband is supportive, but not very emotional.
• My wife is receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer and I know the holidays will be hard. Do you have any suggestions as to what I can do to help her?

Featured Resources

Magnolia Meals at Home

This meal delivery program is currently being piloted in and around Woodcliff Lake, NJ and Andover, MA (as well as specific locations in New York, New Hampshire and Boston). The program aims to help breast cancer patients and their families by providing nourishing meals. For more information please visit magnoliamealsathome.com or contact Kathy Nugent, LCSW at 800-813-4673, ext. 6809.

Stories of Help and Hope

Read inspiring personal accounts from people affected by cancer and the ways they've found to cope.

• Barbara L., Coping with breast cancer
• Beth M., Coping with breast cancer
• Donna S., Coping with breast cancer
• Juliet O., Coping with breast cancer
• Donna H., Coping with breast cancer
• Susan T., Coping with breast cancer